Major damage to PU-6 at Baikonur

[Tomness]

I don't understand why they don't crew rate Vostochny, give up OneWeb Sats and get CSG Soyuz Pad and move everything to Vostochny.

[FreakySquirrel]

Well a spare cabin is already in storage at the cosmodrome. I had forgotten about this.
https://russianspaceweb.com/baikonur_r7_31.html#cabin

According to posters on the Novosti Kosmonavtiki forum a back-up version of the mobile service platform, ordered by the Soviet government back in 1971, had been delivered from the NKMZ factory in Ukraine to Baikonur in 2013. However, it likely represents the older 8U216 version of the structure and, in any case, its installation would require major construction work at the pad, including the dismantling of the existing equipment.

The 8U216 version is shown in the link below:
https://russianspaceweb.com/vostochny_soyuz_ko.html

 Ordered in 1971, delivered in 2013... That cant be right?

[GWR64]

...
41/1 is the easiest as when it was decommissioned all hardware was stripped from the pad and removed. 16/2 is a reserve pad with upgrade plans on the back burner for the permanent home of the RD-193 variant of Soyuz-2.1v or its proposed unnamed successor. Some hardware for 43/3 came from 41/1 and 16/2 but not sure as to what all was scavanged. Note that not only the service cabin sustained damage but catwalks, piping and hardware above the service Cabin in the ring also sustained damage of which during launch video from the side of the trench can be seen being liberated and flying free in all directions with the view abruptly cut away as the service cabin was already beginning to move in the latter stages of the ignition sequence and hold down release. Once the rocket exhaust got a full grip behind the deflector it was game over from the rapidly building up back pressure from the pressurizing entrant gasses behind it.

Thanks for your reply.
Pad 16/2 still looked relatively complete on satellite images. Of course, I don't know if anything has been dismantled.
And I don't believe it will be put back into operation. That's why I mentioned it. The great distance and 13 years of inactivity are disadvantages.
Pad 5/1 is much closer and hasn't been out of service as long. But if it's to be converted into a museum together with Kazakhstan, they might not want to touch it.

exciting times for the ISS 

41/1 (Lesobaza was the pad name) not 1/5.
https://russianspaceweb.com/plesetsk_r7_41.html

I meant pad 1/5  (Gagarin's Start) in Baikonur, sorry, I made a typo.

[russianhalo117]

Well a spare cabin is already in storage at the cosmodrome. I had forgotten about this.
https://russianspaceweb.com/baikonur_r7_31.html#cabin

According to posters on the Novosti Kosmonavtiki forum a back-up version of the mobile service platform, ordered by the Soviet government back in 1971, had been delivered from the NKMZ factory in Ukraine to Baikonur in 2013. However, it likely represents the older 8U216 version of the structure and, in any case, its installation would require major construction work at the pad, including the dismantling of the existing equipment.

The 8U216 version is shown in the link below:
https://russianspaceweb.com/vostochny_soyuz_ko.html

 Ordered in 1971, delivered in 2013... That cant be right?

Yes it was kept in storage and was rediscovered. They restored it and shipped it to Baikonur. Originally more R-7/R-7A ICBM pads were planned but the discovery and switch to storeable propellant and solid propellant cancelled further pads. The back up service cabin was due to flight testing resulting in changes to fix reliability of the launchers and pad.

It was shipped and stored fully disassembled.

[catdlr]

Before a Soyuz launch Thursday, someone forgot to secure a 20-ton service platform

“We are going to learn just how important the ISS is to leadership.”

Eric Berger – Nov 28, 2025 8:16 AM

Thursday was the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States and so far NASA has not commented on the implications of damage to Site 31 in Kazakhstan.

However one source familiar with the agency’s relationship with Russia said there are multiple concerns. In the long-term, as Manber said, this will test Russia’s commitment to the partnership. But in the near-term there are concerns about the lack of Progress launches.

Not only does this cargo vehicle bring supplies to the Russian segment of the station, it is used as a primary means to reboost the space station’s altitude. It also services the Russian thruster attitude control system which works alongside the US control moment gyroscopes to maintain the station’s attitude and orientation. Notably, the Russian control system “desaturates” the US gyroscopes by removing their excess angular momentum.

The at least temporary loss of Site 31 will only place further pressure on SpaceX. The company currently flies NASA’s only operational crewed vehicle capable of reaching the space station, and the space agency recently announced that Boeing’s Starliner vehicle needs to fly an uncrewed mission before potentially carrying crew again. Moreover, due to rocket issues, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 vehicle is the only rocket currently available to launch both Dragon and Cygnus supply missions to the space station. For a time, SpaceX may also now be called upon to backstop Russia as well.

[ZachS09]

Since Progress launches are technically possible from Vostochny, whose launch site latitude is ~51.88 degrees N, how much performance of the Soyuz would be needed for a plane change to the ISS’s 51.6-degree inclination?

[catdlr]

Russia left without access to ISS following structure collapse at Baikonur launch site

written by P. Katin November 30, 2025

According to the first official press release from Roscosmos, all the necessary spare parts are available for the restoration of the launch complex, and it will be repaired in the near future. Sources in the Russian space industry have confirmed that a spare set of elements for the maintenance cabin does exist in Roscosmos warehouses.

Roscosmos   
Nov 27 at 11:41
✔
The space rocket launched without incident. The ship successfully docked with the International Space Station. The crew is on board and in good health.

The launch pad was inspected, as is done every time a rocket is launched. Damage to several launch pad components was detected.

Damage can occur after launch, so such inspections are mandatory worldwide.
The launch pad's condition is currently being assessed.

All necessary spare components are available for repair, and the damage will be repaired shortly.

[Nighthawk117]

Define "shortly"

IMHO, the next Progress launch will be in March 2026.

[The man in the can]

I have a some questions. Since many are saying that the Russians have spare for the 8U216 moblie platform. I guess they'll need to upgrade it to 8U216M specs. But after that how they'll install it. Do they need to remove the concrete slab over its shelter to lower it down (in one piece or in parts)? Do they need to dismantle other structures?

[rsnellenberger]

I have a some questions. Since many are saying that the Russians have spare for the 8U216 moblie platform. I guess they'll need to upgrade it to 8U216M specs. But after that how they'll install it. Do they need to remove the concrete slab over its shelter to lower it down (in one piece or in parts)? Do they need to dismantle other structures?

The platform moves along a set of rails - I'd assume they could install temporary rail extensions on a support truss in the flame trench and then roll the replacement platform into its storage bay using the rails.

[Jrcraft]

I have a some questions. Since many are saying that the Russians have spare for the 8U216 moblie platform. I guess they'll need to upgrade it to 8U216M specs. But after that how they'll install it. Do they need to remove the concrete slab over its shelter to lower it down (in one piece or in parts)? Do they need to dismantle other structures?

The platform moves along a set of rails - I'd assume they could install temporary rail extensions on a support truss in the flame trench and then roll the replacement platform into its storage bay using the rails.

That, or use a special crane assembly to move it into position. If it can roll out intact, they *should* be able to roll another one in.

[russianhalo117]

I have a some questions. Since many are saying that the Russians have spare for the 8U216 moblie platform. I guess they'll need to upgrade it to 8U216M specs. But after that how they'll install it. Do they need to remove the concrete slab over its shelter to lower it down (in one piece or in parts)? Do they need to dismantle other structures?

Upgrade is only for new pads as Baikonur launches for Soyuz and Progress are rotated anyways despite Soyuz-2.1 launchers family. Another reason is the launch escape system is the reason it is rotated to the launch azmuth. An upgraded LES and spacecraft inertia navigation system would have to be installed to account for the launcher roll otherwise it would abort the flight the moment the roll exceeded red limit deviation parameters.

[weathermann]

I don't understand why they don't crew rate Vostochny, give up OneWeb Sats and get CSG Soyuz Pad and move everything to Vostochny.

In the Scott Manley video posted above (post #73), Manley says the main reason they are hesitant to launch crews from Vostochny is the hazardous downrange abort zone: rugged, forested terrain, then ocean. Maybe the folks here could comment on that?

[russianhalo117]

I don't understand why they don't crew rate Vostochny, give up OneWeb Sats and get CSG Soyuz Pad and move everything to Vostochny.

In the Scott Manley video posted above (post #73), Manley says the main reason they are hesitant to launch crews from Vostochny is the hazardous downrange abort zone: rugged, forested terrain, then ocean. Maybe the folks here could comment on that?

No the main reason is the costly upgrades required to process the spacecraft using custom hardware.
RSW Subscription Paywalled Article: ISS faces its biggest peril in 2025

[StraumliBlight]

In the Scott Manley video posted above (post #73), Manley says the main reason they are hesitant to launch crews from Vostochny is the hazardous downrange abort zone: rugged, forested terrain, then ocean. Maybe the folks here could comment on that?

Soyuz 23's lake landing in 1976

Voskhod 2's forest landing in 1965


Futurism: NASA Responds to Russia Accidentally Blowing Up Its Only Astronaut Launch Facility [Dec 2]

“NASA is aware Roscosmos is inspecting Launch Pad 6 at Site 31 following launch of the Soyuz MS-28 on November 27 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan,” a NASA spokesperson told Futurism in a statement. “NASA coordinates closely with its international partners, including Roscosmos, for the safe operations of the International Space Station and its crew members.”

The agency also confirmed that the MS-28 crew “safely arrived at the space station” following their launch, but didn’t elaborate on whether the incident would impact any future crewed missions, referring Futurism to reach out to Roscosmos, which didn’t reply by press time.

[Nicolas PILLET]

The main reason not to launch manned Soyuz from Vostochnyi is the lack of rotating platform. The rocket should have to make the roll maneuver itself. It is technically possible, but the SAS system would interpret this as a problem and trigger the abort. So, a major redesign of the SAS would be necessary to launch from there, and after a major redesign you have to make an unmanned qualification flight. All of this is very expensive, and not considered as useful.

[catdlr]

https://xtwitter.com/AstroPolo_Space/status/1996208743034622213

Paul Montagne
@AstroPolo_Space
·

Found a pic (2009) of the Soyuz platform from the pad in Sinnamary, French Guyana. Without maintenance for years & the harsh climate, it surely is not in good shape ... and soon dismantled.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

Strugovets writes:

https://t.me/roscosmos_press/3240
Google translate:

By the way:

The 31st pad of the Baikonur Cosmodrome has been ordered to be restored by Cosmonautics Day (2026).

To avoid a tearful celebration.

UPDATE: Spare parts for repairs are already being delivered to Pad 31.

[catdlr]

Cross-post:

Strugovets writes:

https://t.me/roscosmos_press/3240
Google translate:

By the way:

.... Cosmonautics Day (2026).

.

.

Sun, Apr 12, 2026

[MaxBioHazard]

I don't understand why they don't crew rate Vostochny, give up OneWeb Sats and get CSG Soyuz Pad and move everything to Vostochny.

In case of emergency during flight, partially launched Soyuz from Baikonur will fall in Altay mountains, near Chinese/Mongolese border, it was several times in history and rescue procedures are ready. In the same case on Vostochny, the ship will fall into ocean. Russian vessels, unlike American, can't land to water.